You can connect with food pantries using a smartphone, tablet or computer.
You can sign in with your email or cell phone number to search for food pantry locations, schedules, and conditions for service.
Visit app.plentifulapp.com to sign up online or download the free Plentiful app.
You will be asked to:
- Enter your language
- Enter your email address and phone number
- Tip: Use the same phone number or email provided to pantries to avoid making another account.
- Tip: We'll send an activation code to your cell phone and send an email with a link to create a password to make sure it's you.
How can I make a Reservation?
Click on these links to find instructions on how to make a reservation using the Plentiful app or text message:
Click here to learn how to visit a provider using text message: SMS Instructions
Click here to learn how to visit a provider using the Plentiful app: App Instructions
You must be logged into the app to make a reservation. Tip: Do you see your name in the top right corner? If not, please login to be able to make a reservation.
Visit app.plentifulapp.com to sign up online or download the free Plentiful app.
You will be asked to:
- Enter your language
- Enter your email address and phone number
- Tip: Use the same phone number or email provided to pantries to avoid making another account.
- Tip: Every time you log in with your cell phone number, Plentiful texts you an activation code, and email log in requires you to enter your password.
If you do not see the option to make a reservation, then either the provider is currently not accepting reservations or all slots are full. Please check back later or use the Plentiful app to find other providers near you. Please note that some providers do not require a reservation. Providers that offer first-come first-serve services have "Line" at the top of their profile.
Is Plentiful available in languages other than English?
Plentiful is available in 9 different languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Arabic, Haitian Creole, Urdu, Bengali, and Korean.
You can select your preferred language when you sign in online.
What is TEFAP Certification?
TEFAP is a USDA food program. Food pantries are required to screen visitors ask you questions about benefit program participation, income and address. We added the questions to your Plentiful Profile so you can complete your TEFAP certification by updating your benefit program participation, income and address. them on your
own using the app instead of face to face with a pantry worker. It's
quick and a secure way to update your profile before you visit a
pantry. You can retake the questions too. It will not affect your
ability to get food. Please let us know what questions you may have. Here's a guide to assist you in activating the TEFAP Attestation feature, completing digital attestation forms, and accessing your historical forms: plntfl.app/l/Plentiful-TEFAP-Support
How can I sign up for updates and notifications from pantries?
You will start to receive messages from a pantry
after your first visit. You can also subscribe to get updates from pantries that you haven't visited yet too. You can get notifications by email or text; and in app notifications. Login to the App to update your notification settings.
How can I change my phone number and email address?
Plentiful for Pantries
Sometime we have to cancel a pantry service, such as for holidays. What should we do when our pantry has to close?
How do I update or Correct a Client's Information?
Can I reset my password?
Yes. To reset your password, go to the pantry login page here, click “Forgot Password,” and follow the steps.
Can I use Plentiful to communicate with my clients?
Yes. Plentiful allows you to send a message to any client who has opted into messages and has used your pantry in the past 61 days. You can send direct messages to individual clients, or blast messages to all of your clients.
You can also message clients who are:
- Volunteers
- Families with Children
- Seniors
- Upcoming Reservation
- Active
Login to your pantry account and choose “Messages” on the left panel. It will walk you through the rest of the steps to get started.
Is Plentiful available in multiple languages?
Yes.
Clients can use Plentiful for Android and SMS in 9 different languages:
English
Spanish
Chinese
Russian
Arabic
Haitian Creole
Urdu
Bengali
and Korean
At this time, Plentiful for Pantries is only available in English.
Does Plentiful allow clients to make reservations?
Yes. Pantries can choose from multiple types of reservations, including walk-up, day-of reservations, and advance reservations. Pantries can use one reservation style or choose a different style for each service.
Can my clients designate a representative to pick up their food?
Yes. Plentiful allows you to easily add a pick-up representative to a client’s profile.
Do you have anything to help me tell my clients about Plentiful?
Yes! We offer free Plentiful brochures, posters, registration cards, and other resources in multiple languages. Below, you can find a few links to online resources. Below is a list of Resource Guide that you may use: QR Code QR Code in Simplified Chinese QR Code in Spanish
I don't see an option to make a reservation - why?
If you do not see the option to make a reservation, then the provider is either not currently accepting reservations or there are no available reservation slots. Please check back later and subscribe to the pantry to receive a notification or when slots open. Please note that slots are first-come first-serve.
Please note that some providers do not require reservations. If a provider profile says, "Line" or the text message only provides a schedule with no option to make a reservation, then you do not need to make a reservation, you may simply attend one of the list service dates listed while respecting the provider's visit frequency conditions.
What is Plentiful?
Plentiful is a completely free, easy-to-use reservation system for food pantries and the people they serve. Families find pantries and get the food they need, without waiting in line. Pantries get better data, are more organized, and provide better service.
Plentiful is currently available to only New York City-based food pantries. If you are a food pantry or food bank located outside of New York City, please feel free to send an inquiry to info@plentifulapp.com.
Who manages Plentiful?
Plentiful was established in 2016 as a project of the New York City Food Assistance Collaborative. Initially managed by United Way of NYC and City Harvest, Plentiful aimed to support food providers and neighbors experiencing food insecurity. In February 2023, Plentiful was acquired and is now operated by a dedicated team based in New York and Colorado, continuing its mission to serve those in need by connecting them with local food resources and assistance programs.
What do food pantries need to use Plentiful?
Pantry staff and volunteers can login to Plentiful for Pantries on any computer, tablet, or mobile device that can surf the web. Most of our pantries prefer Google Chrome, Safari, or Firefox browsers on a lightweight laptop, tablet, or cell phone. It works the same on any device, just formatted differently! Internet access is necessary to use Plentiful, and required at the visitor check-in location.
Does Plentiful require me to collect sensitive information about my clients?
No. We designed Plentiful to work best with just a client’s name, phone number, zip code, household size, and birthday. This information is stored away in our database and can only be found if you have the client's name or phone number. Other than that, we keep their information hidden unless you have added them to your pantries service. Besides the information above, any other information that you choose to collect is kept private and accessible only to administrators at your pantry.
Does Plentiful require a client to provide a phone number?
No. A phone number makes Plentiful much easier to use while carrying over a lot of perks! It allows clients and pantries to communicate and fully take advantage of our Reservation features. It also helps to find a client based on their cell phone, which is very unique compared to a first or last name. Clients greatly benefit if they provide an accurate cell phone number . Client's will receive a text message from Plentiful. Clients can use the SMS feature from Plentiful to can easily find food pantries in their neighborhood. If your clients have any questions, or are having issues with the SMS or Android features, you can download our Client Usage Guide here which can give them more information on how to utilize Plentiful.
Is my data safe with Plentiful?
Yes.
Plentiful takes privacy seriously. We use industry standard best practices for data security and in April 2019 we commissioned a data security audit to ensure that Plentiful data is absolutely safe.
How can I cancel or reschedule my visit?
Every provider has its own specific conditions regarding how often you can visit their pantry. We highly recommend canceling or rescheduling your visit if you do not plan on attending. If you do not show up, the visit is still counted towards the visit frequency limit. This means that if a provider allows you to visit once a month and you fail to show up for your visit, you will not be allowed to visit again until next month. Use these helpful guides to reschedule or cancel your visit using the phone/computer app or by texting us. Using the Plentiful app on your phone or computer: plntfl.app/l/reschedule-or-cancel-your-visit-using-the-Plentiful-app or by texting us: plntfl.app/l/reschedule-or-cancel-your-visit-SMS-guide
Plentiful Resources
Do you have any resources to help me operate Plentiful at my food pantry?
Yes! Here are some tips on how to fully maximize Plentiful's messaging: 1) Proofread ALL of your messages before you hit Send!
Typos can confuse your clients and lead to disruptions in pantry services due to misinformative messages.
2) Always check to ensure you are sending your messages to the appropriate groups.
If you are messanging your clients (who have a Reservation) about tomorrow's service, it might be easier to text "Clients With An Upcoming Reservation" instead of "All Clients" or "Active Clients."
3) Refrain from sending confidential information, such as passwords, phone numbers, and client names.
Instead, feel free to share an office or Google Voice number that your clients can reach YOU.
4) Only send pantry-related messages to your clients.
Some ideas on pantry-related messages include: reminders of pantry services, extra food annoucements, a quick list of items you will distribute, and changes to your pantry operations.
5) The best time to message your clients is between 10 am - 7 pm.
Sending messages outside of these hours may lead to an increase in unsubcribed visitors, as many visitors will be frustrated to receive messages during their own personal downtime.
6) Don't forget to update your client's langauges.
Updating your client's preferred language makes it easier for clients to understand your messages about your pantry's updates and announcements.
7) Instead of sending messages about when your pantry will be open, switch to Reservations and let us update them every week!
Switching to Reservations means reminders ot clients are sent automatically letting clients know when to come in to avoid the line.
Get Plentiful via Text To get started with Plentiful via Text, text ‘FOOD’ to 'PANTRY' (726-879) Respond with ONLY the corresponding number. You will be given a list of pantry options, and you only need to text back the number next to the number. For example, if you receive the following message: 1. Reservation Food Pantry 1 2. Reservation Food Patnry 2 3. Reservation Food Pantry 3 You will only respond "2" for "Reservation Food Pantry 2". You will continue this process until you have made a Reservation at your favorite food pantries!